Running out of wine at a first-century Jewish wedding was a social disaster that people would remember forever. But when this crisis strikes at a wedding in Cana, Jesus steps in to perform his first miracle. Yet this isn't simply about keeping a party going; it's a sign that points to something much greater.

Instead of just solving the immediate problem, Jesus creates an overwhelming abundance, turning 120–180 gallons of ceremonial washing water into the finest wine anyone had ever tasted. The miracle demonstrates God's superabundant grace and points forward to Jesus' ultimate "hour": His death and resurrection. Through this first sign, we see how Jesus restores not just a wedding feast, but the spiritual fortunes of God's people.

This sermon explores how we live in the overflow of God's grace today through Word and Sacrament, receiving far more than we need so we can share generously with others.

Takeaways

• God's grace comes in overwhelming abundance. It's always more than we need so we can share with others who are struggling.
• Jesus transforms the old covenant's ceremonial requirements into the joy of the gospel, fulfilling the law.
• The timing of this miracle on "the third day" points forward to Jesus' resurrection and the ultimate restoration he would accomplish through His death.
• We experience this abundant grace regularly through ordinary means: confession and absolution, Scripture reading, preaching, and Holy Communion.
• Living in God's overflow means getting filled up through worship and Word, then being sent out to love others, returning again when we're empty.

Scripture Index

• John 2:1-11 (primary text - Wedding at Cana)
• Amos 9:11-15 (restoration of David's fallen tent, mountains dripping wine)
• Amos 9:13 (plowman overtaking the reaper)
• John 1 (law through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus Christ)
• Various references to Jesus' "hour" throughout John's Gospel
• General references to Old Testament Levitical purification laws

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

Main Takeaways

• Epiphany is usually a season of impressive miracles, but this text reveals Jesus’ glory in quiet submission to authority.
• Jesus’ statement, "I must be about my Father’s business," anticipates His future suffering and death.
• Jesus fulfills the Law actively, sanctifying the Sabbath and the Fourth Commandment where we have failed.
• Christian vocation involves honoring the office of authority, regardless of the person holding it, in submission to God's will (Rom 13:1).
• Jesus offers His lived history of obedience in exchange for our history of sin.

Scripture Index

• Luke 2:41–52: The account of the boy Jesus in the temple and His return to Nazareth.
• Luke 9:22: The first prediction of the Passion, linking the divine necessity ("must") to the cross.
• Exodus 12: The context of the Passover feast and the sacrificial lamb.
• Romans 13:1: The apostolic instruction that all authority is instituted by God.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship

Main Takeaways

• While ancient tyrants (Pharaoh, Herod) destroyed life to secure political power, modern culture destroys life to secure the idol of individual autonomy.
• Children are only a "burden" in the sanctifying sense: they crush the sinful ego and force us to serve a neighbor who cannot repay us.
• Jesus functions as the True Israel, entering the "house of bondage" to succeed where the corporate son (the nation) failed.
• Matthew uses Jeremiah 31 to demonstrate that the return from the "land of the enemy" (Assyria/Death) has already begun in Christ’s return from Egypt.
• The Red Sea of the font and the Real Presence in the Supper press the benefits of Christ’s victory into the lives of our children.

Scripture Index

• Genesis 46: Jacob stands at the edge of the Promised Land, terrified that leaving for Egypt will void God's promises.
• Exodus 1: Pharaoh recognizes that the multiplication of children is a source of national power and a threat to his control..
• Matthew 2: The Flight to Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents serve as the fulfillment of Hosea's prophecy and the recapitulation of Israel's history.
• Hosea 11:1: The prophet foretells that God calls His Son out of Egypt, identifying Jesus as the faithful Son..
• Jeremiah 31: The weeping of Rachel is cited not merely to describe grief, but to invoke the subsequent promise of resurrection and return from exile.
• Romans 8: Paul affirms that death cannot separate the baptized from the love of God in Christ.

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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.

Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org

Join us Sundays:

• September–May
  • 8:30am Sunday School | 9am Bible Study | 10am Worship
• June–August
  • 9am Worship

#GibbonMN #LutheranChurchMN #LCMSWorship